Haitian Spiritual Singers

When I first saw these singers perform in a New York art gallery about 20 years ago, I was so impressed and moved by their performance that I started drawing them immediately. I showed them the drawings during the intermission and they were delighted.
In keeping with my goal of painting a series of spiritual new age themes this year, I’m painting The “Haitian Spiritual Singers ” in oils. The original one I had painted was in water colors. However, I felt that this was such a powerful piece, it deserved the Queen of mediums, oils! That being said, I wanted to demonstrate a portraiture in realistic classic style using the old masters techniques. Also, since I’m presently given a class on the topic of Painting Like The Old Masters for the Pocono Arts Council, I felt this work fit in all around perfectly!
The Concept: Even though I had done a watercolor version, I wanted something different for this oil painting. You see, it’s like I’ll know what I want when I see it, but I haven’t seen it yet! Therein lies the creative struggle. For example, I visualized the singer with African features but with a classical Greek nose reminiscent of a Hellenic Goddess making her my own “Black Orpheus Goddess” poised to sing spiritual hymns!
I have been working on the singer’s face full time for the last couple of days. This is rare for me! Let me explain. I typically draw most faces in minutes and often do timed demonstrations. I have painted large canvases in a day, but when it comes to a critical work of art that I’ve been passionately developing for decades, which represents who I am as a painter, then every detail, gesture and tone is critical for me. Time does not matter… it’s about the quality and trying to create a meaningful work of art.
This is a powerful piece that I’m sure you will enjoy in seeing it come to life in this work in progress series.
Thanks for your support and kind words.
Alex Castro .(c)